Command Line FTP

Why use Command-Line FTP?

Command line FTP allows you to transfer files between
the tdl server and a remote server via the Internet backbone at T1/T3
speeds. This means that the transfer will take place very quickly, and
will not use your modem connection at all. One example of use would be
transferring images from a remote clip art ftp area to your account for
use on your home page.

FTP Commands

Logging in, Logging Out

Command

Function

ftp

Opens an ftp session
from your shell account to a remote server. You must first log into your
shell account.

ModesWhen transferring files, it is very important to make
sure you are in the correct mode.

Command

Function

ascii

This is the default
mode, and this is to be used when transferring text files.

Example:

ascii

bin

This mode must
be used when transfering graphics (jpg, gif files.

Example

bin

Listings and Directory Changing

Command

Function

ls

Lists the current
directory contents

Example:

ls

cd

Performs the same
function as clicking an icon in MAC/Windows or cd in DOS -- it changes
directories. Alternating cdls, you can find your way
down the directory tree of the remote host to the files you are looking
for.

Example:

cd subdirectory

cd ..

Backs you up one
directory level (to the parent directory). Otherwise, the syntax is cd
[directoryname]. It is helpful to visualize the tree structure of a
directory while you are exploring a remote server using ls and
cd.

Example:

cd ..

lcd

Changes your local
working directory -- where you are on the machine you are ftp'ing
from. This is where files will be put from, and where get
will deposit them.

Example

lcd subdirectory

lcd ..

Backs you up one
directory level (to the parent directory) of your local working directory
much like cd .. backs you up one directory level on the remote
machine.

Example:

lcd ..

mkdir

Makes a directory on
the remote server.

Example:

mkdir
[newdirectoryname]

Transferring FilesYou can transfer one file at a time (by naming the
file) or many with the use of the * character.

Command

Function

put

Puts one file to the
remote location

Example:

put filename.ext

mput

Puts multiple files
to the remote location

Example:

mput * to put all
files in your local current directory to the remote directory)
or mput *.html to put all
.html files
or *.jpg to put all jpg images
or *.gif to put all gif images

get

Gets a single file.

Example:

get filename.ext

mget

Gets multiple
files. You can use the * as you did with the mput command.

Example:

mget *
or mget *.html to get all
.html files
or *.jpg to get all jpg images
or *.gif to get all gif images

When you begin a
file transfer, by default, you are prompted to confirm the transfer of
each and every file. You can turn this off by typing prompt which
toggles this feature off. (Typing prompt again turns it back
on). This is especially useful when transferring multiple files and want
them to go all at once without asking you to confirm each and every one.

Example:

prompt

hash

The hash
command is the equivalent of a status bar in the Windows O/S. hash
lets you know the progress of your file transfer if you turn it on. For
example, if you are transferring a 200 meg file and you do not have
hash toggled on, you have no indication as to whether or not it is
transferring.

Since hash slows the ftp
process, a general rule of thumb is that if you are transferring large
files, turn hash on so you can make sure the files are transferring. If
you have many small files to transfer, turn it off.